stable tour dan skelton

Dan Skelton Stable Tour including Protektorat, West Balboa and Grey Dawning

When it comes to consistency on the biggest stages few could match the levels of trainer Dan Skelton last season. With some exciting new recruits and some notable names back among his ranks the 2023/24 Jump campaign promises to be even better.

Big wins for Protektorat in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, Le Milos in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and Ashtown Lad in the Boylesports Becher Chase at Aintree, ensured the run up to Christmas was a memorable one for the Alcester handler and his team.

Added to that, two winners at the Cheltenham Festival courtesy of Langer Dan in the Coral Cup, and Faivoir in the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle, helped see Skelton set a new personal best prize money total exceeding £2.6 million come the end of the season.

Not one to rest on his laurels Skelton is already looking forward to another success laden campaign with another exciting team at his disposal.

He said: “I was happy with what we achieved last season. We had a pretty outstanding run throughout November and December and it carried on into the new year and they all ran up to their best I feel.

“We had two winners at the Cheltenham Festival and two up at Aintree and that was very important.

“They maintained their form throughout the season which was important. I was very happy with things but you do have to keep going.

“However, the team we have this season looks more than capable of helping us enjoy some more big days.”

HORSE-BY-HORSE GUIDE

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PROTEKTORAT

“We will be going to Haydock Park fresh and ready for the Betfair Chase. From what I’ve seen, he has not gone backwards in any way. The way we will have him ready for that race is that we will have him properly ready. I think it will take a good one on the day to beat him.

“He will have an entry in the King George at Kempton and we will look at that. We will have to look sensibly at the Gold Cup as we have had two goes at it and it hasn’t happened yet, but we will worry about the spring when we get to it.

“Anything is possible at this point and what happens before March will dictate whether he should be there or not.

“If all of a sudden he found 10lbs of improvement then you would have to have another go at the Gold Cup.

“But if the opposition have perfect seasons you might think you are better doing something else. We will do what is right for the horse.”

“He is back now and I’m delighted with how he looks. I’d like to try and start him off in the Old Roan. That would be the perfect scenario. It was a shame he missed last season as you don’t want to be missing one of your stars.

“Every time he has stood up over obstacles he is unbeaten. He was improving until his problems, and we would like to pick up from where he left off. If we can go to the Old Roan on really nice ground that will give him the opportunity to step forward.

“He will have an entry in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes who own him are mad keen to get him to the King George on Boxing Day so we are trying to work him towards that.

“He looks fantastic and is behaving beautifully. He is doing all the work you want him to. I don’t harbour any concerns about that.

“He has as much ability as any horse I’ve had, and you have to take that seriously."

“I walked away from the Grand National and said we won’t do that again as he didn’t stay. However, he had a bit of an excuse as through the summer we took a chip out of his knee. I do think perhaps that wasn’t him at his best.

“We will work at getting him ready and once we are super happy with him we will run him which will be around Christmas time. There is a nice race at Ascot before Christmas and he could go there.

“I’ve yet to revisit the idea of running him in the Grand National with the owners and the last conversation I had with them was we won’t be doing it again. but in light of there being something that was in play, it might be something we do talk about again.

“Nothing is off the table. Take nothing away from him as he won a Coral Gold Cup last season and they are not easy to win. We are very proud of him, and I can assure you he is not finished.”

MIDNIGHT RIVER

“Make no mistakes - he is a good horse that is improving. I think he is a horse that ultimately does have plenty to come.

“We will possibly go to Aintree for the Old Roan or Wetherby for a two and a half mile handicap on route to the Coral Gold Cup. We will see what the outcome of that is and then make a decision which way we go.

“The Coral Gold Cup is the big one for him. He was good at Aintree and he improved for that step up in trip, which he was entitled to do. We will start him over two and a half though, then give him the opportunity to go back up in trip at Newbury."

ASHTOWN LAD

“Basically, all roads lead back to the Becher Chase. He will run at Bangor first in the race Le Milos won last year. He loves those Grand National fences.

“He wasn’t quick enough for the Topham in the springtime and we accept that. We were very unsure about the trip and the whole Grand National experience for him last season.

“I think we have got a horse that didn’t have a particularly gruelling season last season who can hopefully go and get some business done and win that Becher Chase again.

“The evidence beforehand will suggest whether it is possibly or not for him to go for the Grand National.

“I suppose if you win a second Becher you have to go for the Grand National as you would allow yourself to get led down that route. What we are concentrating on is the Becher.”

WEST BALBOA

“She had a great season. She only run three times, but she won the Lanzarote at Kempton and a big handicap up at Aintree.

“She is still not badly handicapped in all honesty. She might go for the West Yorkshire Hurdle up at Wetherby or she might go for two and a half mile conditions race at Aintree the week after, and if we go that route then we would look to step her up in trip afterwards.

“She would then probably go to Kempton for the Listed mares’ hurdle there at the end of November.

“We would like to hope that she could be another Roksana, but the proof will be in the pudding. I wouldn’t say she is a million miles off it.”

“He will go straight to the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham. He is so good first time out but then he becomes not so easy to get to his best.

“What he does he puts a phenomenal amount of effort into his training and then into his racing, whether he is winning on the bridle or having to dig deep.

“The best way to describe what happens is that he has a massive come down after the race. It is a bit frustrating, but what he does is he achieves results at a very high level.

“There are a lot of things you change with other horses, but he is one that puts so much in. I’d love to be able to go out there and tell him don’t try quite so hard at home, save a bit more for the track, but that is not him.”

GALIA DES LITEAUX

“She is a really good mare, and loves her fences. We were very proud of her last season. When she won those races she looked really good. I was really happy with everything I saw.

“Her runs at Cheltenham and Aintree were in highly competitive races on ground that probably wasn’t soft enough.

“You get her on that really slow ground and she might be able to win an even bigger race, but she is winning Grade Two races.

“She will start off in a Listed mares’ chase on November 16th. She will go there, and she will be hard to beat.

“You could always stick to mares’ races for her and work your way towards the mares’ chase at Cheltenham, but that doesn’t mean I won’t give her an entry in a few other races.”

“What a boy he is. It was a great effort in the Coral Cup and we are very proud of him. He is a very straightforward horse and when you get him going he is brilliant.

“People must think we are messing around in the autumn. I just can’t get him to operate, but once you get past Christmas he just starts to get going and he hits top gear in the spring.

“You just have to go down the handicap route because he is not effective in the autumn and winter to see if he could be an open company horse he won’t operate in them.

“To my mind he is a little rascal. After the Coral Cup he sustained an unusual injury which I’ve never heard of before which was to do with a set of connected tissue behind his fetlock.

“He had to have a little bit of surgery, but he is fine now. I’d imagine it will be the back end of November before he is ready to go.”

“He has loads of talent. We thought we could win the Morebattle with him at Kelso last season, but he ran absolutely awful in the Betfair Hurdle on unusually quick ground for February.

“However, he loved what went on in the County Hurdle with that hustle and bustle on a bit slower ground and he just flew home. You have to work with him, and you can’t force him. If you start trying to force him you will end up in a pickle as he won’t react to it.

“We will look at those good handicap hurdles with him as he is rated 139. He will find himself his spots to win as he always does.”

GREY DAWNING

“It was very frustrating that he fell at Aintree as I think he might have nearly won, but it was a long way out. I think he will very quickly make amends for that fall.

“I think we might start him over three miles at Wetherby on November 3rd and go from there. I’m really happy with him and hopefully he can make into a spring festival horse.

“I would be looking at the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day as a first half of the season target.

“It was a tenacious display at Warwick in the Grade Two. He needed the run first time out at Aintree and he improved a great deal for it and he was always going to. I think he is possibly the most exciting novice chaser we’ve got.”

💪 Time for a school - the winner of five of his seven races to date, here's 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙬𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 putting in the work on the gallops for @DSkeltonRacing ! pic.twitter.com/F3HIkBr9Dg — Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) October 8, 2023

“He belly-flopped two out in the County Hurdle which was disappointing, but he was a novice in a handicap and he has much to learn. I hope the fact he has been doing all that means that he has learnt.

“We can go chasing with him now and hopefully make him into something a bit unusual. He is very much a two-miler as he has got loads of pace.

“He was just outstayed at Cheltenham over two and a half miles on trials day by a horse that stays well. It was an acceptable first year with significant room for improvement.

“We have also given him a wind op since the end of last season. I’d like to think he will be running in graded races over fences.”

UNEXPECTED PARTY

“He has the bonus of being a second season novice. It was a bit frustrating that he didn’t get his head in front last time, but he ran in all those big races last season and did plenty of racing.

“I think we will possibly go down the Paddy Power Gold Cup route with him. He will start off at Chepstow in the Listed novices’ chase.

“He can have an entry in the Paddy Power after that, he could also have an entry in the two-mile Grade Two novice chase at Cheltenham at the same meeting if the ground is a bit slower, and he can also be considered for the Rising Stars at Wincanton the week before.”

NURSE SUSAN

“I think Nurse Susan could be as good as any of the other novice chasers we have.

“She has always been a chaser and she ran some good races over hurdles not least behind Harry Fry’s good mare Love Envoi a couple of times. I just think she has got the lot.

“She has got the size and scope, she is brave and she relaxes in her races. She likes soft ground. She has just got the lot. The plan is to run her in the race Listed race that Galia Des Liteaux won at Bangor last year on November 15th.”

“It was probably trainer error running him at Cheltenham last time when he fell. Good ground around Cheltenham probably wasn’t what he wanted. He will go three miles in time but I think he is one for those intermediate trips for now.

“I could see him being one for the Coral Gold Cup next season for us, but I’m not sure he is that horse this season. I think he wants to be going to Newbury for the two-day meeting there in November where he has a couple of options.”

“She is a very good horse, but she has taken me by surprise if I’m totally honest. When we first got her I thought she was bang average and I wasn’t sure about her at all.

“Harry (Skelton) rode her once in a piece of work and said I quite like this. I said I hope you are right, and he was. She finished the season finishing second in a Grade One which was great.

“We kept her away from Cheltenham because I think Cheltenham over two miles was not really what we asked for.

“I think Cheltenham over two and a half miles is much more acceptable and we will try and go down the mares’ hurdle route with her. She will either start at Wetherby or Aintree.”

BALLYGRIFINCOTTAGE

“He ran well in the Albert Bartlett the season before last and he won well on his first start over fences but then the wheels fell off in a catastrophic manner - his wind went and we have done a pretty thorough bit of surgery on him. We are very happy with his wind now.

“I’ve never had a horse ever react like that before as he really went downhill. He is a high-quality horse with a real good attitude.

“Where we go I don’t know but I would suppose he would have to have an entry in the Welsh National.”

“I think he will go for the Grand Sefton at Aintree, but he needs a run first and he is likely to go to Chepstow next week. I think he is a progressive horse, but you have to catch him right.

“I think he is a horse that has one of these in him so we will give it a go. Further down the line, he will be one for those two and a half miles to three-mile handicaps.”

“If he is not on the A team, he is on the bench. He is a bit more rideable now as when he was younger he didn’t give himself the best chance to see out his races as he ran a bit keen and you had to let him roll on.

“I just thought he was one of those horses that needed a run, and I thought the pace of the race at Newton Abbot would be too much but it ended up suiting him as he is more rideable now.

“I think he is one we could look at the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton. He has never really run in big fields, but fortune favours the brave and has got a run under his belt.”

“We are going to train Sail Away, rightly or wrongly, for the Charlie Hall. I know he is only rated 145, and it is a bold move, but my thinking is that if Bravemansgame runs in it that there might not be too many others and if he doesn’t run in it, what are the others in it?

"I’m thinking he might have to put his handicap mark for assault, but it might just work. We will have a look at the entries and most importantly we will check the ground. I think this is a pretty progressive horse and his back-up would be the Sefton."

BEST OF NOVICE CHASERS

“I think Etalon , Pikar and Hitching Jacking could all go very well over fences. These are all novice chasers that achieved a nice level over hurdles that could undoubtedly achieve more over fences. These are all horses here that haven’t got specific targets but don’t be surprised if they raise their marks by 10lb by Christmas then start having targets.”

BEST OF NOVICE HURDLERS

“I think some novices from last season that didn’t win like Ittack Blue , Hoe Joly Smoke and Deafening Silence could be high up there. They weren’t horses that could win, and a couple we pitched in the deep end, and it was like if they can’t win it is not the end of the world if they are a novice next season.

“I think Asta La Pasta , who won a bumper last season, is pretty smart. Goonhilly is another that is useful, as is Rock House , who will run in the Persian War at Chepstow.

“ Williethebuilder , who bolted up at Uttoxeter last time out, will run in the Grade Two at Cheltenham later this month. They don’t win much easier than he did. He absolutely cruised through the race.

“ Coco Mademoiselle and Cherie D’am are two very smart mares to go hurdling this season.”

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Dan Skelton Stable Tour

Team skelton scored a career best last time and their established stars and unexposed ammunition are primed to plunder more big prizes in 2023/24..

• Features - Stable Tours

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Dan Skelton had another red-letter season in 2022/23 when his 133 winners took him to a personal best prize money tally of £2,614,206 and there plenty of high profiles winners in that mix. 

Pride of place in his achievements last term may well have been a double at the Cheltenham Festival with Langer Dan gaining reward for some luckless efforts the previous two seasons when coming good in the Coral Cup and Faivoir capturing the County Handicap Hurdle.

Major handicap success was also achieved in the autumn when Le Milos took the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and at a higher grade there was an exemplary performance from Protektorat in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and Nube Negra in the Shloer Chase at the November Meeting.

Grey Dawning marked himself down of some prowess when landing the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick, whilst West Balboa marked herself down as something to keep on the right side when taking the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton and adding to that in the Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle at the Grand National Festival. Both look very exciting recruits to their novice chase divisions.

Dan has plenty of untapped ammunition to go to war with this season and he kindly talked to Tony Elves of attheraces.com about some of his leading lights for this term.

Ashtown Lad (IRE)

• 10-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Flemensfirth (USA) - Blossom Trix (IRE) (Saddlers' Hall (IRE))
• Trained by: D Skelton
• Last Race: Newbury, 23 Mar 2024 17:00
• Result: 7/7, held up last, bit closer 4th, pushed along and weakened last (normal 5 out)
• View full form

Form profile

Winner of four of his 17 starts and currently rated 142 over fences. Landed the Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree (3m 2f) in December and ran well in two hurdles races after.

Trainer says

He won the Becher last year and that is where we are aiming again this year. He will go to Bangor on November 15th before he goes for the Becher Chase, but Aintree is the big aim. After that we will make a plan about what we do, but before Christmas that’s his big target.

Asta La Pasta (IRE)

• 6-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Asian Maze (IRE) (Anshan (UK))
• Last Race: Sandown, 09 Mar 2024 13:50
• Result: 11/17, held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and lost place before 2 out

Winner of one of his 2 bumpers at Market Rasen in February. Made a successful transition to hurdles when beating Brook Bay two and a half lengths at Uttoxeter (2m) this month

He was very good at Uttoxeter the other day. We thought he would take a bit of beating and he did it very nicely but still showed a few signs of greenness. He will go to Wetherby on November 3rd for a novices’ hurdle, and we will make a plan there afterwards. We would like to think he could end up in some of the better races, but we are not going to shove him into Grade races straightaway. We will get some experience under his belt as he still has a lot to learn.

Ballygrifincottage (IRE)

• 9-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Stowaway (UK) - Long Long Time (IRE) (Dr Massini (IRE))
• Next Race: Ayr, 20 Apr 2024 15:35

Winner of two of his 6 starts and currently rated 143 over fences. Made a cracking start to his novice chasing career when jumping well and scoring by 11 lengths from Beauport at Haydock (2m 5 1/2f) at the end of November. However, pulled up in two outings after when odds-on in the Grade 2 Towton Chase at Wetherby (3m) in February and in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m 7 ½f) off mark of 140.

He started last season when he won as he wanted at Haydock and then something happened to his wind, I don’t know what, but I’ve never had a horse deteriorate so rapidly. He has had a wind operation over the summer and he looks fantastic and I don’t hear any of those problems, but we have to get back to the track and prove that is not an issue. The track will be the true test but, everything being equal we have always thought of him as a Welsh National sort of horse.

Calico (GER)

• 8-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Soldier hollow (GER) - Casanga (GER) (Rainbow Quest (USA))
• Next Race: Ayr, 20 Apr 2024 15:00

Winner of four of his 17 races under Rules and scored twice in handicap chase company last season. He beat Out On The Tear 12 lengths at Southwell (2m) in January and got home by a nose from Pay The Piper at Doncaster (2m 1/2f) in March. In between, he ran a courageous race in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick (2m) in February when beaten only five and a half lengths to sole rival Jonbon.

He had a great year last year and was going to be second to Jonbon in a Grade 1 at Aintree when falling. He will start this year in the Haldon Gold Cup.

Cherie D'am (FR)

• 6-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Great Pretender (IRE) - Flemens Pride (UNR) (Flemensfirth (USA))
• Next Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 16:40
• Form: 11-1212

Easy winner of her English point-to-point for John Dawson in November and made a winning debut for her stable when scoring by eight lengths from Miss Maverick in a bumper at Uttoxeter in April.

I think she has the potential to take high rank amongst the mares’ novices’ hurdlers and she love slower ground. We will let her tell us how high we aim over hurdles.

Coco Mademoiselle (IRE)

• Breeding: Doyen (IRE) - Towermore Lass (IRE) (Presenting (UK))
• Last Race: Chepstow, 17 Mar 2024 13:15
• Result: Won/5, held up on inside, smooth headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on well

Winner of a mares’ maiden point-to-point in Ireland on her second start and followed up with a two and a quarter length success from Paddy O’Mahler in a bumper at Wetherby in April on her first start for the stable.

She is another really nice mare who won well in a bumper at Wetherby for us. I would imagine she’s a two and a half mile to three miles horse and very much a chaser. Again, we will let her tell us how high we aim.

Etalon (IRE)

• 7-y-o; brown gelding
• Breeding: Sholokhov (IRE) - So You Said (IRE) (Definite Article (UK))
• Next Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 16:40
• Form: 214-111

Winner of one of his 5 starts and currently rated 120 over hurdles. Off the mark with a seven-length success from Big Ambition at Wetherby (2m) in January and subsequently a respectable fourth, beaten nine and three quarter lengths, to Crambo in the Grade 3 EBF Final at Sandown (2m 4f) off a mark of 119.

He is a big strong horse, and he gets a start over the bigger obstacles. He will be entered at Uttoxeter next weekend and hopefully he is a nice chaser.

Faivoir (FR)

• Breeding: Coastal Path (UK) - Qape Noir (FR) (Subotica (FR))
• Last Race: Cheltenham, 15 Mar 2024 14:10
• Result: 6/17, chased leaders early, mid-division, not fluent 5th or 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on flat but not pace to challenge

Winner of 10 of his 23 starts and currently rated 145 over fences and 139 over hurdles. Returned to winning form in the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in March when beating Pied Piper a head off a mark of 134.

He obviously won the County Hurdle for us last year and he runs on Sunday in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. You would like to think a horse like him will find his races and hopefully win another big one in his lifetime. It’s hard with these handicappers to know when they are going to win as the handicapper often has his say. If everything fell right for him on a particular day we all know he can win one of those big ones. He will have entries in the Greatwood, the Betfair Exchange, Morebattle etc and, hopefully, he can go win one of them. If he is happy and healthy then he will have another go in the County.

Frere D'armes (FR)

• 7-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Bathyrhon (GER) - Ville Sainte (FR) (Saint Des Saints (FR))
• Last Race: Ascot, 24 Mar 2024 15:20
• Result: 3/5, chased winner, pushed along turning in, ridden between last two, stayed on same pace run-in, no extra in 3rd towards finish

Winner of four of his 9 starts and currently rated 135 over fences. Made a pleasing start to his chasing careerwhen beating Haddex Des Obeaux at Kempton (2m 2f) in November off a mark of 120 and followed up with a two and a quarter length success from Aucunrisque in a Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newbury (2m 1/2f) later that month off a mark of 128.

He was a good horse last year when winning two and put up a big effort at Ascot after he had a bit of time off. He just got a cut at Newbury, and we lost a bit of the season, but he put up a big effort at Ascot then underperformed at Ayr when we thought he would win. He is a good horse fresh, and he will go to Ascot on November 4th.

Galia Des Liteaux (FR)

• 8-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Saddler Maker (IRE) - Serie Love (FR) (Agent Bleu (FR))
• Next Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 16:00
• Form: 54-1224

Winner of three of her 8 starts and currently rated 145. Made a winning debut over fences when scoring by nine lengths from Miah Grace in a Listed Mares’ Chase ay Bangor (2m 1 1/2f) in November and added to that success when beating Complete Unknown 13 lengths in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick (3m) in January. Creditable efforts in defeat after when finishing fifth, beaten 16 ½ lengths, to The Real Whacker in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham (3m 1/2f) in March and when fourth, beaten 15 lengths, to Gerri Colombe in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree (3m 1f) in April.

She loves a bit of soft ground, and she bolted up in a Grade 2 at Warwick and won two novices’ chases last year. She does have the option of going against the boys and I will give her entries in suitable race, but she will start in a mares’ event at Market Rasen on November 16th.

Grey Dawning (IRE)

• 7-y-o; grey gelding
• Breeding: Flemensfirth (USA) - Lady Wagtail (IRE) (Milan (UK))
• Next Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 13:45
• Form: F-31211

Winner of five of his 7 starts and currently rated 141 over hurdles. Progressive over smaller obstacles last season and completed a hat-trick when beating Ginny’s Destiny five lengths in the Grade 2 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick (2m 5f) in January. Was in the process of running a very good race when falling at the ninth in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (3m 1/2f) in April won by Apple Away.

He is a proper old chasing type, but he did win a Graded hurdle at Warwick. He fell at Aintree when I thought he might win but that is in the past now. He will go chasing and will start at Wetherby on November 3rd. Hopefully, he can become a Feltham type and he loves soft ground. If the Feltham was not soft, then we would wait for Warwick in January.

Heltenham (FR)

• Breeding: Masked Marvel (UK) - Souris Blanche (FR) (Saint Des Saints (FR))
• Form: 138211

Winner of four of his 12 starts and currently rated 134 over fences. Completed a hat-trick in novices’ handicap chases when beating Numitor five and a half lengths at Newbury (2m 4f) in March off a mark of 123.

He won three on the bounce last year and I shouldn’t have run him at Cheltenham as the ground was too quick. He needs a bit of slow ground whilst he is still young and still a bit raw. I could see him being a proper three-mile chaser in time but for this year we will start at two and a half and might stay at two and half. He will run at the Coral Gold Cup meeting at Newbury and will have entries on the Friday and the Saturday.

Hitching Jacking (FR)

• Breeding: Honolulu (IRE) - Omirande (FR) (Saint Preuil (FR))
• Last Race: Kempton, 16 Mar 2024 15:55
• Result: 3/8, tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd turning for home, went 4th 2 out, stayed on one pace after last for 3rd

Winner of two of his 6 starts and currently rated 131 over hurdles. Off the mark in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m 4f) in December and followed up with a short head success from Galudon in a similar event at Wetherby (2m 3 1/2f) in January. Creditable effort on his handicap bow at Uttoxeter (2m 4f) when runner-up, beaten a neck to Equus Dancer off a mark of 128.

I thought this was a nice hurdler last year who was just kicking the ball against the wall until he went chasing. He will make his debut over fences at Uttoxeter next Friday.

Jet Plane (IRE)

• Breeding: Jet Away (UK) - Court Gamble (IRE) (King's Theatre (IRE))
• Next Race: Market Rasen, 10 Apr 2024 15:30
• Form: 14P751

Winner of four of his 16 races and currently rated 129 over fences. Started off his season in great style when beating Copperhead four and a half lengths in a handicap chase at Ludlow (3m 1 1/2f) in May off a mark of 119 and followed up in a similar event at Newton Abbot (3m 2f) in October when scoring by two and a half lengths from Investment Management off a mark of 124.

He won well at Newton Abbot the other day and it took us a little by surprise that he would win but I think that’s because he is an easier horse to train this year than ever before. He will have an entry in the Badger Beer and whether that’s flying too high or not who knows. However, he’s decent and we can always come back down if we have too.

Kateira (GB)

• 7-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Kayf Tara (UK) - Raitera (FR) (Astarabad (USA))
• Next Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 14:20
• Form: 112-324

Winner of four of her 6 starts and currently rated 138 over hurdles. Winner of her first three races in mares’ novices’ hurdles and completed the hat-trick with a 19-length victory from Shelikesthelights at Market Rasen (2m 1/2f) in February. Stepped up on those efforts when runner-up, beaten three and a half lengths, to Irish Point in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (2m 4f) in April.

She is a very good mare, and she was second on her final start of the year in a Grade 1. That shows you a little of what she is capable of and all roads lead to the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. She will probably start at Wetherby or Aintree at the start of November.

Langer Dan (IRE)

• Breeding: Ocovango (UK) - What A Fashion (IRE) (Milan (UK))
• Next Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 15:30
• Form: 1-6P901

Winner of five of his 17 starts and currently rated 147 over hurdles. Runner-up, beaten two and a quarter lengths, to Galopin Des Champs in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap at Cheltenham (2m 4f) in March 2021 and unlucky favourite race for that race 12 months later when brought down at the second. Gained his deserved reward at the Festival in March when beating An Epic Song a head in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs off a mark of 141.

He actually had a bit of surgery after he won the Coral Cup last year. We will have him ready to run probably at the end of November. He is not an easy horse to get going in the autumn and will not play ball, but he comes alive in the spring. He has been a fabulous horse so far and, hopefully, he can continue to do well but we don’t have any early season plans for him.

Le Milos (GB)

• Breeding: Shirocco (GER) - Banjaxed Girl (UK) (King's Theatre (IRE))

Winner of seven of his 24 starts and currently rated 151. Scored by four and a quarter lengths from Lord Du Mesnil on his debut for the stable in handicap chase at Bangor in November off a mark of 142 and stepped up on that effort in the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Newbury (3m 2f) later that month when beating Remastered a half a length off a mark of 146. Finished runner-up, beaten three quarters of a length, to Empire Steel in the Listed Premier Chase at Kelso (2m 7 1/2f) in March and ended his campaign finishing 10th, beaten 36 lengths, to Corach Rambler in the Grand National at Aintree (4m 2 1/2f) in April off a mark of 152.

Le Milos had a bit of surgery after the National, but he had a great year last year when winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. I don’t think he is finished improving yet and I don’t know where we will start but it will be around Christmas time.

Midnight River (GB)

• 9-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: Midnight Legend (UK) - Well Connected (UK) (Presenting (UK))
• Last Race: Newbury, 02 Dec 2023 14:50
• Result: Fell/20, tracked leaders, fell 14th

Winner of seven of his 18 starts and currently rated 156 over fences. A winner three times in handicap chases last season and ended his campaign with a length and a half success from Bowtogreatness in a valuable contest at Aintree (3m 1f) in April off a mark of 151.

Midnight River will run in either the Old Roan at Aintree or at Wetherby the week after and then will aim for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury

Molly Ollys Wishes (GB)

• 10-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Black Sam Bellamy (IRE) - September Moon (UK) (Bustino (UK))
• Last Race: Exeter, 21 Dec 2023 14:25
• Result: PulledUp/6, prominent on outside, led after 3rd, jumped right and not fluent 6th, headed next, weakened and pulled up before 3 out

Winner of seven of her 25 starts and currently rated 134. Winner of a Listed Mares’ Hurdle at Wetherby (2m) on her reappearance last season when scoring by a length and a quarter from Martello Sky.

She is obviously down into a handicap and her mark has fallen from last year. She is off a very acceptable mark and what she does tomorrow will tell us what we do.

My Drogo (GB)

• Breeding: Milan (UK) - My Petra (UK) (Midnight Legend (UK))
• Last Race: Exeter, 11 Feb 2024 15:35
• Result: PulledUp/11, chased leaders, ridden, weakened and pulled up before 3 out

Winner of five of his 7 starts and currently rated 155 over fences and hurdles. Winner of Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (2m 4f) in April 2021 but hasn’t seen out since beating Torn And Frayed seven length in a novices’ chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in December 2021.

I am really happy with him, and he could run in the Old Roan at Aintree. It’s great to have him back but we will see how he gets on first time back and then make a proper plan.

Nube Negra (SPA)

• 10-y-o; brown gelding
• Breeding: Dink (FR) - Manly Dream (FR) (Highest Honor (FR))
• Last Race: Cheltenham, 27 Jan 2024 14:25
• Result: 4/5, chased leaders, hit 5th, not fluent 9th, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along after next, faded before 2 out

Winner of seven of his 29 starts and currently rated 161 over fences. Made a winning reappearance in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase at Cheltenham (2m) last November when an easy eight-length victor from Ganapathi and then runner-up, beaten 13 lengths, to Editeur Du Gite in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton (2m) in December. Pulled up before two out when tailed off in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham (2m) won by Energumene in March.

He won the Shloer the last two years and that is very much the plan to get him ready for that. He is a great horse first time out, and is best when fresh.

Nurse Susan (FR)

• 7-y-o; chestnut mare
• Breeding: Doctor Dino (FR) - Hembra (FR) (Croco Rouge (IRE))
• Last Race: Lingfield, 21 Jan 2024 14:25
• Result: Won/10, held up towards rear, headway soon after 3 out, tracked leaders next, every chance when not fluent last, driven flat and stayed on to lead final strides

Winner of two of her 4 starts in 2021/22 season and currently rated 129. A winner of her maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m 1f) in November when beating Hidor De Bersy seven and a half lengths and followed up in a novice event at Leicester (1m 7 1/2f) in December when scoring by two and a half lengths from Zabeel Champ. Not seen in action since finishing fourth, beaten four and a half lengths, to Love Envoi in the Grade 2 Mares Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in March 2022.

Nurse Susan is back, and she ran very well the season before last in mares’ novices’ hurdles. She was beaten by Love Envoi twice, but I think there was many better than her than Love Envoi that year. She now goes chasing and she will start at Bangor on November 15th.

Pembroke (GB)

• Breeding: Blue Bresil (FR) - Moyliscar (UK) (Terimon (UK))
• Form: 241133

Winner of three of his 8 starts and currently rated 135. Finished runner-up, beaten a length, to Chasing Fire in a novices’ chase at Uttoxeter (2m) this month on his chasing bow.

He ran really well at Uttoxeter the other day on his chasing debut. He is still a raw horse and obviously went off favourite for the County Hurdle last year. That was always on ability, and he is loaded with ability, and it will come together for this horse.

• Breeding: Masterstroke (USA) - Prairie scilla (GER) (Dashing Blade (GER))
• Next Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 17:15
• Form: 5/16315-

Winner of two of his 8 starts and currently rated 130 over hurdles. A winner twice in novices’ hurdles last season beating Hullnback at Chepstow (2m) in October and scoring by four and a half lengths from Henri The Second at Warwick in February.

He really never hit the heights as hurdler. He is going to go chasing and will be seen out in three or four weeks. He has always promised to be a chaser so let’s hope that’s the case.

Protektorat (FR)

• Breeding: Saint Des Saints (FR) - Protektion (FR) (Protektor (GER))
• Next Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 14:55
• Form: 5-43231

Winner of six of his 21 starts and currently rated 166 over fences. At his most impressive on his reappearance in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m 1 1/2f) in November when beating Eldorado Allen 11 lengths. Subsequently finished fourth, beaten five and a quarter lengths, to Ahoy Senor in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m 1 1/2f) in January and fifth, beaten 15 ½ lengths, to Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m 2 1/2f) in March.

He obviously won last year’s Betfair Chase and that is where we are going to start this season. I am very happy with him, and I hope to have him in the same form as last year and if he is, he will be one of the big contenders. We can make entries for all those races, but the Betfair is number one target.

Rock House (IRE)

• Breeding: Westerner (UNR) - Rose Of Dunamase (IRE) (Presenting (UK))
• Last Race: Huntingdon, 01 Apr 2024 13:05
• Result: 2/13, tracked winner, pushed along before 2 out, driven approaching last, held flat, kept on

Winner of two of his 3 starts. Scored three lengths from Bob Bob Richard in a bumper at Huntingdon in April and runner-up, beaten a length and a half, to Kintail in a similar event at Warwick in May. Made a winning debut over hurdles at Worcester (2m) in September when beating Corporal Jackjones 13 lengths.

I think he is a smart horse and Chepstow on Friday will tell us if he is a smart horse. Hopefully, he can win decent novices’ hurdles before he goes chasing.

Sail Away (FR)

• 8-y-o; grey gelding
• Breeding: Martaline (UK) - Baraka Du Berlais (FR) (Bonnet Rouge (FR))
• Next Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 16:05
• Form: 21-5644

Winner of three of his 13 starts and currently rated 145 over fences. A model of consistency last season when winning twice in novice handicap chases and placed in two others. Ended his campaign in style when beating Forward Plan 11 length in an novices’ handicap chase at at Ayr (3m) in April off a mark of 136.

He finished season very well win a valuable novices’ handicap chase at Ayr. He will have an entry in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby but if some fancy rated rivals turned up for that then we could wait and run him first time out in the Sefton over the National fences.

Unexpected Party (FR)

• 9-y-o; grey gelding
• Breeding: Martaline (UK) - Reform Act (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid (USA))
• Form: 155491

Winner of two of his 13 starts and currently rated 142 over fences. Placed in five of his six starts in novice chase company and ended his campaign finishing third, beaten five and a half lengths, to Datsalrightgino in the Grade 2 Future Champion Novices’ Chase at Ayr (2m 4 1/2f) in April.

He runs at Chepstow on Saturday in a listed novice chase, and I have had this race in mind since his last run last year. He will love the ground and has experience over fences. He has to take on one of Paul’s who is rated slightly higher over hurdles, but I think he will take a bit of beating.

West Balboa (IRE)

• Breeding: Yeats (IRE) - Rostellan (IRE) (Flemensfirth (USA))
• Form: 11-1086

Winner of three of her 5 starts and currently rated 142 over hurdles. Progressing nicely and returned to winning form when short heading Red Risk in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton (2m 5f) in January over a mark of 130. Followed up in a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at Aintree (3m 1/2f) in April when beating Pounding Poet five lengths off a mark of 135.

She is a progressive mare and only had three runs last year but won two valuable handicap hurdles. I think she could take the step forward and she will probably start in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby, and we will go from there.

Williethebuilder (IRE)

• 5-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Arcadio (GER) - Crippled Cougar (IRE) (Robin Des Champs (FR))
• Last Race: Kempton, 24 Feb 2024 15:00
• Result: 6/6, held up in last pair, some headway out wide after 3 out, ridden hung badly right and weakened turning in, soon tailed off and eased

Made an impressive debut for the stable when beating Olivers Travels 12 lengths in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m) in September.

He bolted up on his only start for us at Uttoxeter and I want to get a run into him because I wanted the experience before going for a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in a fortnight’s time.

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Dan Skelton Stable Tour

Team skelton have enjoyed notable successes in the handicaps where they have a typically strong squad, but the ace in the pack is star novice chaser grey dawning.

• Thursday 15 February 2024

Dan Skelton has every reason to be looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival again as it was a happy hunting ground for the Warwickshire trainer last March when he hit a double.   

Faivoir provided him with a fourth career victory in the notoriously difficult County Hurdle and Langer Dan gained just rewards for two previously unlucky visits when coming out on top in another Chinese puzzle for the Coral Cup.

That took Skelton’s total to six for the Festival and he obviously harbours for more success at the most important National Hunt meeting in the calendar.

“Everybody know how difficult it is to get a winner but, hopefully, our luck is in, and we can hit the board again,” he said.

Faivoir looks to net a second County Hurdle next month and will be joined in the line up by L’Eau Du Sud who finishing a gallant runner-up to Lord Iberico in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

However, the jewel in the crown may well be Grey Dawning , who would be going to the Festival with three victories under his belt but for a bad mistake two out when beaten three quarter of a length by the high-flying Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham in December. He has since gained bloodless victory in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Grey Dawning has entries in the Turners Novices’ Chase and the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with the three-miler very much the preferred option at this stage.

Dan kindly talked to Tony Elves of attheraces.com about the team he is currently assembling for the four days of the Festival in 2024.

Calico (GER)

• 8-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Soldier hollow (GER) - Casanga (GER) (Rainbow Quest (USA))
• Trained by: D Skelton
• Next Race: Ayr, 20 Apr 2024 15:00
• View full form

Form profile

Winner of four of his 20 starts over fences and hurdles and currently rated 143 over fences. Has run well all starts this term - finished runner-up, beaten three quarter of a length, to Triple Trade in a handicap chase at Cheltenham (2m) in November off a mark of 139. Then finished fourth, beaten 17 lengths, to Madara back at Cheltenham (2m 1/2f) in December and finished runner-up, beaten two and three quarter lengths to Gabriel’s Getaway, conceding 20lb to the winner, in a handicap chase at Doncaster (2m 1/2f) in January off a mark of 142.

Trainer says

Calico will go for the Grand Annual. He has been running so well and has been giving lumps of weight away it would be nice to be getting a few pounds off something.

Faivoir (FR)

• 9-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Coastal Path (UK) - Qape Noir (FR) (Subotica (FR))
• Last Race: Cheltenham, 15 Mar 2024 14:10
• Result: 6/17, chased leaders early, mid-division, not fluent 5th or 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on flat but not pace to challenge

Winner of 10 of his 28 starts and currently rated 136 over hurdles. Finished fifth, beaten nine lengths to Iberico Lord in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury this month off a mark of 137. Winner of the County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) last March when scoring by a head from Pied Piper off a mark of 134.

Faivoir goes back for the County Hurdle which he won last year. He ran very nicely at Newbury and the ground was a lot softer for him and he enjoyed that. It looks like he is coming into form, and he just runs how he wants and is very hard to predict but he ran very nicely the other day. If he continues in the same vein of form in his mind, then he should be able to run well in the County again.

Flegmatik (FR)

• 9-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: Fuisse (FR) - Crack D'emble (FR) (Poliglote (UK))
• Next Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 16:05
• Form: U23142

Winner of five of his 26 starts and currently rated 140 over fences. Gained reward for his consistency when scoring by two lengths from Chianti Classico in a handicap chase at Kempton (3m) in January off a mark of 137.

He will get entries in probably the Ultima and the Plate. He runs before that at Kempton in the Coral Trophy. He loves Kempton and that is his big race of the year, but we definitely won’t forget to enter him for Cheltenham.

Grey Dawning (IRE)

• 7-y-o; grey gelding
• Breeding: Flemensfirth (USA) - Lady Wagtail (IRE) (Milan (UK))
• Next Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 13:45
• Form: F-31211

Winner of seven of his 11 starts and currently rated 153 over fences. Unlucky not to be the winner of his last three starts over fences. Off the mark in a Graduation Chase at Haydock (2m 5 1/2f) in November when beating Gaillard Du Mesnil nine and a half lengths and made a bad mistake when challenging two out in a novices’ chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in December before failing by three quarters a length behind Ginny’s Destiny. Gained a nice confidence booster in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick (3m) in January when slamming Apple Away 14 lengths.

He has two entries, he is in the Turners Novices’ Chase and the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. At the moment, he is a lot more likely to go for the Brown Advisory, but we will keep an eye on the other race just in case it cuts up or something happens. He was unlucky not to win at Cheltenham on his last visit as he hit two out really hard and was flying at the line and would have won bar that mistake. Looking at his form, that is a matter of fact and Ginny’s Destiny who won that day has improved since. They are both pretty smart chasers on their day. He has kept good form all year and he will go to the Festival with a good chance.

Jay Jay Reilly (IRE)

• Breeding: Fame And Glory (UK) - Garden City (IRE) (Shernazar (UK))
• Last Race: Cheltenham, 15 Mar 2024 17:30
• Result: PulledUp/21, mid-division, effort after 3 out, weakened after next, pulled up before last, dismounted

Winner of five of his 18 starts and currently rated 139 over hurdles. Returned to winning form when scoring by a length and a quarter from Nemean Lion in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton (2m 5f) in January off a mark of 132.

He will get entered in the Coral and the Martin Pipe, but he will run first this weekend at Ascot.

Knickerbockerglory (IRE)

• Breeding: Fame And Glory (UK) - The Brass Lady (IRE) (Supreme Leader (UK))
• Last Race: Plumpton, 31 Mar 2024 16:15
• Result: PulledUp/13, chased leaders, went 2nd after 2nd, led 5th, soon headed, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

Winner of six of his 15 starts and currently rated 135 over hurdles. Scored by four and a quarter lengths from Altobelli in a valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot (1m 7 1/2f) in November off a mark of 130 and respectable effort in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (2m 1/2f) this month when sixth, beaten 11 lengths, to Iberico Lord off a mark of 137.

He will be entered in the County Hurdle, but he is much more likely to run in the Imperial Cup at Sandown the Saturday before. He will definitely have an entry in the County Hurdle, and he was another of mine to run with great credit in the Betfair Hurdle.

Langer Dan (IRE)

• Breeding: Ocovango (UK) - What A Fashion (IRE) (Milan (UK))
• Next Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 15:30
• Form: 1-6P901

Winner of five of his 21 starts and currently rated 141 over hurdles. Below form in the first part of the season and finished 14th beaten 31 lengths, to stablemate Jay Jay Reilly in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton (2m 5f) in January off a mark of 143. Invariably finds his best form in the spring and gained reward for two unlucky efforts at the Festival when beating Epic Song a head in the Coral Cup (2m 5f) last Match off his current mark.

He will have an entry in the Coral Cup and the Martin Pipe. He is much more likely to go for the Coral Cup which he won last year. As you know, he is a nightmare to train in the winter and we examined the other day and found he had ulcers and maybe that is why he hasn’t been firing. I hope he can run well at the Festival, he comes alive in the spring and is hard to train otherwise. He had surgery in the spring before his win last year at Cheltenham and he’s done a lot in his life.

Le Milos (GB)

• Breeding: Shirocco (GER) - Banjaxed Girl (UK) (King's Theatre (IRE))
• Next Race: Ayr, 20 Apr 2024 15:35

Winner of seven of his 25 starts and currently rated 151 over fences and 146 over hurdles. Winner of the Coral Gold Cup in November 2022 when beating Remastered half a length off a mark of 146. Started his season in a Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier at Market Rasen in November when he finished third, beaten 16 ½ lengths, to Itchy Feet off a mark of 146.

Le Milos is qualified for the Pertemps, and we might look at entering him in the Ultima as well. He needs a run and runs this weekend then we will make a plan. He has had a chequered season and had to have some surgery in the summer, and it hasn’t been as straightforward as last year was. He is in great form at home and really well with himself.

L'eau Du Sud (FR)

• 6-y-o; grey gelding
• Breeding: Lord Du Sud (FR) - Eaux Fortes (FR) (Walk In The Park (IRE))

Winner of two of his 10 starts and currently rated 135 over hurdles. Cracking effort when runner-up, beaten two and a quarter lengths, to Iberico Lord in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (2m 1/2f) this month off a mark of 129.

He was another to run a great race in the Betfair and he will go for the County Hurdle. He was a horse that struggled with ulcers back in the autumn and we treated him. He is in great form, and he hopefully goes there with a great chance. He did it on a number of grounds last year - good to soft, soft - and the ground should be no problem.

Let It Rain (GB)

• 5-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Kayf Tara (UK) - Tazzarine (FR) (Astarabad (USA))
• Last Race: Ascot, 22 Dec 2023 15:40
• Result: Won/13, held up, headway going well 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear final 100 yards, ran on well

Made a winning debut in Listed bumper at Ascot in December when Brechin Castle three and a quarter lengths.

She might not go to the Festival now. We just had a look at her this morning, and she has the beginning of a curb. We will see how it settles down over the next week, but she might not be going to the Festival.

Nurse Susan (FR)

• 7-y-o; chestnut mare
• Breeding: Doctor Dino (FR) - Hembra (FR) (Croco Rouge (IRE))
• Last Race: Lingfield, 21 Jan 2024 14:25
• Result: Won/10, held up towards rear, headway soon after 3 out, tracked leaders next, every chance when not fluent last, driven flat and stayed on to lead final strides

Winner of four of her 7 starts and currently rated 135 over hurdles. Returned to winning form when beating Martha Divine half a length in a Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in December off a mark of 125 and followed up with a neck success from Ramo in a handicap hurdle at Lingfield (2m 7f) in January off a mark of 129.

She is in good form, and she will get an entry in the Coral Cup and in the Martin Pipe. She is a lovely mare who I have always liked a lot and she is progressing nicely.

Proschema (IRE)

• Breeding: Declaration Of War (USA) - Notable (UK) (Zafonic (USA))
• Last Race: Aintree, 15 Apr 2023 15:35
• Result: PulledUp/10, held up in rear, shaken up after 4 out, no impression, pulled up before 3 out

Winner of four of his 17 races over hurdles and currently rated 149. Unraced this season but was a ten-length winner from Thomas Darby in the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby (3m) in October 2022 and also ran respectably in the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (2m 3f) in February of last year when fourth, beaten nine and a half lengths, to Brewin’upastorm.

He is not easy but highly talented and we want to get a run into him before Cheltenham. We will see how that goes but hopefully he has a good spring as he has bundles of ability, and he has shown it on occasions how good he is. We will get a run into him first and then consider our options; he currently has an entry in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Protektorat (FR)

• Breeding: Saint Des Saints (FR) - Protektion (FR) (Protektor (GER))
• Next Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 14:55
• Form: 5-43231

Winner of six of his 25 starts and currently rated 165 over fences. Placed in his last three starts and commendable effort in a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham (3m 2f) in December when third, beaten three lengths, to Broadway Boy when conceding 20lb to the winner. Subsequently finished runner-up, beaten two and a quarter lengths, to L’Homme Presse in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield (2m 6f) in January and third, beaten four and three quarter lengths, to Shishkin in the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury (2m 7 12f) this month.

He will end up going for the Ryanair. He is not quite hitting the Gold Cup level markers so we will have a look at the Ryanair. He only ran last weekend and if we weren’t happy with him, we would wait for Aintree, but I do want to run him in the Ryanair.

Punta Del Este (FR)

• 5-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: Gentlewave (IRE) - Cap D'ombree (FR) (Kapgarde (FR))
• Next Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 14:20
• Form: 7-231P0

Winner of two of his 8 starts and currently rated 131 over hurdles. Returned to winning form in a handicap hurdle at Haydock (2m 3f) in December when slamming Thereisnodoubt 21 lengths off a mark of 121.

He runs in a qualifier for the Pertemps on Saturday, and we will see how that goes.

Royal Infantry (IRE)

• 5-y-o; brown gelding
• Breeding: Soldier of Fortune (IRE) - Sovereign Lass (IRE) (Presenting (UK))
• Last Race: Cheltenham, 13 Mar 2024 17:30
• Result: 8/19, held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out

Winner of both of his bumpers - scoring by two and a quarter lengths from Off The Jury at Doncaster in January and following up with a two-length victory from Noahsgreatrainbow in a Listed bumper at Newbury on Saturday.

He will get an entry in the bumper, and he won a Listed race the other day. He is a lovely horse - he has done it on flat tracks so far, but we will give him an entry and see how he is between now and then. I am not guaranteeing he goes to Cheltenham, he had a hard enough race the other day.

Sail Away (FR)

• 8-y-o; grey gelding
• Breeding: Martaline (UK) - Baraka Du Berlais (FR) (Bonnet Rouge (FR))
• Form: 21-5644

Winner of three of his 16 starts and currently rated 142 over fences. Finished fourth beaten four lengths, to Annual Invictus in the Grade 3 Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at Doncaster (3m) in January off his current mark.

I will enter him in the Ultima and the Plate, but I am not convinced he will go. We might not be going with him.

Shan Blue (IRE)

• 10-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Shantou (USA) - Lady Roberta (IRE) (Bob Back (USA))
• Last Race: Ascot, 17 Feb 2024 15:00
• Result: 3/9, led and pressed, awkward 8th, pecked on landing 13th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner well held before the last, lost 2nd towards finish

Winner of four of his 20 starts and currently rated 143 over fences. Best effort this term on his latest start in a handicap chase at Ascot (2m 3f) in December when third, beaten three quarters of a length, to Triple Trade off a mark of 142.

Shan Blue runs this weekend, and he has an entry in the Ryanair. He will definitely get entries in the Plate and Ultima, but we will see how this weekend goes first.

Unexpected Party (FR)

• 9-y-o; grey gelding
• Breeding: Martaline (UK) - Reform Act (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid (USA))
• Form: 155491

Winner of three of his 18 starts and currently rated 138 over fences. Made a cracking start to his season when beating Knappers Hill two and three quarter lengths in a Listed Novices’ Chase at Chepstow (2m 3 1/2f) in October. Not in that sort of form in four runs since and finished ninth, beaten 51 lengths, to Ginny’s Destiny in the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) on his latest start off a mark of 141.

I don’t think Unexpected Party stays two and a half miles around Cheltenham and the trip of the Grand Annual is much more to his liking.

West Balboa (IRE)

• 8-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Yeats (IRE) - Rostellan (IRE) (Flemensfirth (USA))
• Form: 11-1086

Winner of four of her 8 starts and currently rated 142 over hurdles. Made a winning reappearance in a conditions hurdle at Aintree (2m 4f) in November when slamming Brewin’upastorm 12 lengths.Little impression when eighth, beaten 22 lengths, to Saint Davy in a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at Sandown (2m 7 1/2f) this month off a mark of 143.

I don’t know what to do with her. I need to talk to the owners, and she will be busy in the spring, but I don’t quite know where yet.

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Dan Skelton stable tour: Cheltenham Festival plans for Protektorat, Nube Negra, Shan Blue and more

Protektorat looks to have the best hopes of any British horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after dominant victory at Aintree earlier this season; Nube Negra heads for the Champion Chase whilst Langer Dan could go one better in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Wednesday 9 February 2022 13:23, UK

Dan Skelton is not shying away from the Irish challenge with Protektorat, who is currently rated as the leading British-trained contender in next month's Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old is a general 8-1 shot for the Festival feature on March 18 after a wide-margin win in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December, with Nicky Henderson's Chantry House the next home-trained hope at a best-priced 20-1.

Skelton has opted to take a direct route to Cheltenham with both Protektorat and Nube Negra, his Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase runner, and his faith remains unshaken after another big weekend of racing at Leopardstown.

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Conflated was a surprise 18-1 winner of the Irish Gold Cup, with reigning champion Minella Indo beaten six and a half lengths into second, and Skelton feels the result underlines the open nature of this year's blue riband.

He said: "I'm very happy with where our horses are, they both head straight to Cheltenham, worked this morning and went nicely. They have got hard races coming their way - but that's what happens in Champion Chases and Gold Cups.

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"I'm very happy with our horses and that's all we can be really.

"Does watching them in Ireland change anything? Not really. I feel it's a very open Gold Cup. Every time a Gold Cup contender has raced in a Gold Cup trial, there's been a different winner and Conflated chucked his hat into the ring at the weekend.

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"I feel it's a high quality Gold Cup, but quite an open one and I'm delighted to have my horse in the form that's he in at the moment to go there."

Not going to be easy for Nube Negra

Chacun Pour Soi won Sunday's Dublin Chase, but Skelton is well aware the main challenge for Nube Negra is likely to be that horse's fellow Willie Mullins inmate Energumene and the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin, who fought out a thrilling finish in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot last month.

He said: "Nube Negra was second in the race last year and Chacun Pour Soi has proved to be a significantly better horse on his side of the Irish Sea, so perhaps his run in last year's Champion Chase (third) isn't true to what he can really do.

"The two from Ascot, we've never faced them before and on numbers they are obviously achieving very highly. We know it's not going to be easy, but the best we can do is have them in the best shape we can and go give it a crack."

Doctor Parnassus 'a Triumph type'

The Irish contingent also has a stranglehold on the JCB Triumph Hurdle betting, with Mullins' Vauban and the Gordon Elliott-trained Pied Piper the 9-4 joint-favourites, with the latter's stablemate Fil Dor next best on 8-1

Skelton's Doctor Parnassus is double those odds - but after adding to an initial win at Ascot with a cosy Taunton success on Tuesday, the trainer will hope to pull off a Grade One shock.

He said: "I was very happy with how he ran, he relaxed after a mile or so, jumped very well and quickened up. He was getting a chunk off older horses that weren't as good as him so it would have been disappointing to get beat, but at the same time he couldn't have won much better on the day.

"This horse, I feel, is a Triumph-type of horse because he will see the trip out well, the track is no issue, he jumps nicely, he has a little bit of class - which is always important - but he will get stuck into it. I think that gives him a squeak."

Shan Blue back with Ryanair target

Shan Blue has been sidelined since suffering a horrible fall with Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase at his mercy in October, but he is set to return in the Ryanair Chase.

Skelton said: "He's really good, I'm super happy with him. It was a bitter pill to swallow, what happened at Wetherby, it was very disappointing as it's an important race and you'd love to win it.

"I've jumped him three times since, he's worked beautifully, we know we can have him well fresh, so he will go straight to the Ryanair."

Langer Dan bidding to go one better in Martin Pipe

Langer Dan was denied a £50,000 bonus at last year's Festival as he found only Galopin Des Champs too good in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle, with that rival a hot favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase after an impressive Grade One win at Leopardstown.

Skelton's runner had previously won the Imperial Cup to set up a bonus bid and that Sandown race is again a possibility on the way back to the Festival.

"How did we run into him (Galopin Des Champs) in a handicap? It was remarkable really," said Skelton.

"Langer Dan is in good form, we didn't do anything in the autumn with him, he's got going now and he's going to run at Taunton on February 22. Then he will be strongly considered for the Imperial Cup and then the conditional jockeys' race again.

"We may not go to the Imperial Cup, I'll have to talk to Colm (Donlon, owner) and see what we fancy at the time. I haven't spoken to Colm to see if we'll definitely give him an entry in the Coral Cup, but he is basically aiming for the conditional jockeys' race."

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Dan Skelton Stable Tour: 2021/22 Season

Dan Skelton

Dan Skelton is a man that knows plenty about training winners and although the majority tend to come away from the big festivals, he’s quickly developing a talented team of horses who could rock some of the bigger names this season.

Several Grade One’s went his way last term and thanks to names such as My Drogo, Protektorat and Nube Negra, there could be plenty more to come.

5yo, bay gelding

Form: /311141-

Verdict: A classy novice chaser last season who won four of his six starts including the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December, as well as a pair of Grade Two’s. The latest of those came of 2m4½f at Ayr, and he may stay that sort of distance this season with a run at Chepstow or Newton Abbot expecting before taking in the Old Roan at Aintree.

8yo, bay gelding

Form: /21817-

Verdict: A solid handicapper last season, winning twice at Sandown, before finishing 7th in the Ultima at the Festival. He’s one that looks plenty of cut in the ground and won’t mind a slog in the mud throughout the winter months.

Amoola Gold

Form: /11228-

Verdict: Progressed nicely last season, winning his first two starts of the campaign, including a Listed event at Ascot in October. He was second in handicap company at Ascot and Warwick after that, and was far from disgraced in the Grand Annual at the Festival. Should still be competitive off his current handicap mark.

Ashtown Lad

7yo, bay gelding

Form: /2115P4-

Verdict: Won at Wetherby and Uttoxeter last season, but failed to build on that in Graded company at three miles, with his best effort coming when 4th in a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree. There should still be more wins in him, but probably not at Graded level.

Form: /1214-

Verdict: A decent performer on the Flat, this 5yo made a bright start over hurdles, winning twice and being narrowly denied at Kempton in the Greatwood. He was later 4th in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and should be a horse to follow closely this season. He’ll start in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and might even be one for the Greatwood.

Elle Est Belle

5yo, bay mare

Form: 1132-

Verdict: Is proving to be a very classy mare who could have more to come this season over hurdles. Bumper wins at Aintree and Cheltenham were a great introduction to life on the racecourse in 2020, and she backed that up at the same courses in the New Year, finishing 3rd in the Champion Bumper at the Festival and the Mares Bumper at Aintree. Put her in your tracker.

6yo, bay gelding

Form: /21411311-1

Verdict: Showed real quality over hurdles last season winning five times, including the Grade Two Supreme Trial at Haydock Park. He had wind surgery over the summer and quickly opened his account for the new season by winning for the first time over fences at Uttoxeter at the start of October. He’s a novice chaser that is going places this season.

Message Personnel

3yo, gelding

Verdict: Owned by John Hales, this a newcomer that is well worth keeping an eye on this season. He already has one win to his name in France, and Skelton describes him as “having an edge about him and he could be exciting”.

Form: 21111-

Verdict: Unbeaten in four runs as a hurdler, including the Grade One Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April. He’ll embark on a career over fences this season and despite missing the Festival last year, Skelton has admitted that he could visit Prestbury Park this season for something like the Dipper in December.

Not That Fuisse

Form:/13421524

Verdict: Has always looked like he might have a big race in him, but has so far only managed to win outside of Graded company, with his two victories last season coming in a class three at Perth and a class four at Newcastle. He travelled well enough in the Grand Annual but didn’t quite get home and will need to improve if he wants to peak at the top level this season.

7yo, brown gelding

Form: /12-3

Verdict: A real star in the Skelton camp who could have more to come this season after winning the Desert Orchid last season before being narrowly denied by ½ length in the Champion Chase at the Festival. Skelton has admitted that the Tingle Creek will be an option if the ground is good this season, but if not then Kempton, Cheltenham and Sandown will be his route throughout 2021/22.

Oldgrangewood

10yo, bay gelding

Form: 44U0P-

Verdict: Won the Grade 3 Paddy Power Handicap at Cheltenham in January 2020, but hasn’t won since then and age is starting to creep up on him. He was no better than 4th in any of his five starts last season, and unseated and pulled up in two of his last three. A midfield finish in the Plate at the Festival was okay, but he’ll need more this term.

6yo, chestnut gelding

Form: /2P1151-1

Verdict: A winner of two Jumpers Bumpers at Newcastle at the start of 2021 really kick started his campaign, where he quickly added wins in handicap hurdles at both Cheltenham and Aintree towards the back end of last season after being up to 2m4f. There should be still some room in his mark, and often goes best when fresh.

Protektorat

Form: /11221-

Verdict: Part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, this 6yo had a season to remember last term, finishing no lower than 2nd in five starts and winning three times, including an excellent victory in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree, following wind surgery. He’s a big player this season and is expected to start in the Colin Parker at Carlisle before tackling the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Form: /111252-

Verdict: Won three times last season but showed his best form over three miles where he won the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree. That gives him the chance to go for some big races this season and will reportedly start his campaign in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby before aiming towards the King George back at Kempton.

Spiritofthegames

9yo, bay gelding

Form: /248283-

Verdict: Always seems to save his best for Cheltenham and is regular around there, including a runner-up effort in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season. That came over fences, but he reverted back to hurdles later in the season, finishing 8th in the Pertemps before being placed in a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Aintree. He’ll be as consistent as ever this term.

Third Time Lucki

6yo, brown gelding

Form: /1121464-

Verdict: A talented hurdler who is yet to really land a big one, and you get the feeling that there is unfinished business for Dan Skelton with Third Time Lucki, especially when you look back on his 4th in the 2020 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He’ll embark on the chaser career this season, with the Henry VIII a likely target at Sandown.

Molly Ollys Wishes

7yo, bay mare

Form: /371113-

Verdict: A smart mare who won three times last season, including a Listed Mares Hurdle at Warwick in February. She’s yet to run at Cheltenham, but would surely have the class to give herself another chance to get there this season.

Wilde About Oscar

Form: /11P110-

Verdict: Won four of his six starts last season, with the best of those victories being a Listed event in February on heavy ground at Exeter. He’ll likely step into open company over hurdles this season at Aintree, before being upped to three miles for the remainder of the campaign.

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